7 Of The Rarest TLDs Around

The most common TLDs are .com, .net and .org.

Other well-known TLDs include .us, .ly and .to.

But some TLDs are so rare, you would never be able to register one if you tried.

Let’s run through some of the most interesting.

1. .AERO

The .AERO TLD is dedicated solely to the aviation industry. If you want one, you’lll have to verify your reasons before filing for a registration.

An example of a .aero domain is SITA’s site, which is a company that specialises in providing solutions to airports and airlines.

2. .ARPA

The .ARPA TLD was original meant as a transitional TLD for ARPANET, the predecessor to the modern internet.

This TLD is solely for mission-critical services. You’ll probably never even visit a .arpa domain.

3. .COOP

This one is pretty straightforward: it’s for cooperative organisations only.

One example is America’s Electric Cooperative.

Verification requirements are strict, and .coop remains rare.

4. .JOBS

The .JOBS TLD was designed for companies who want to register a website for recruitment purposes.

Many companies actually have a .jobs domain but few, if any, actually host content on it.

5. .MUSEUM

This is an unusual TLD due to its length. You can buy a .museum domain or subdomain, such as the one the Airventure museum is using.

If you meet the qualifications, you can easily register your own.

6. .PRO

In order to obtain a .PRO domain, you much be a licensed professional in a specific industry.

Lawyers, accountants, engineers and similar professionals can buy a .pro.

The TLD also has a series of third-level domains such as law.pro that you can buy if you don’t mind sharing your actual domain with your competitors.

7. .TRAVEL

If you work in the tourism industry, you could bag a .TRAVEL domain.

You have to be able to verify that you are a member of the travel industry in any country.

Why Are These TLDs So Rare?

Few people register these domains, so the TLDs are unfamiliar to most of us.

That’s because they are harder to get and cost much more money. A company has to verify itself and pay a much bigger price.

That’s why businesses often prefer a bad .com domain to a good .travel or .jobs domain – and why .com is still seen as the best domain to own.